UEFA has promised Liverpool they will not force
the club to play in the Champions League on the 20th anniversary of
the Hillsborough disaster.
The anniversary falls on April 15, which is one of the two
dates set aside for the second legs of the quarter-finals, the
other being the previous day.
UEFA president Michel Platini has not guaranteed Liverpool will
not be asked to play on April 15 but pledged that European's
governing body would "do our utmost" to avoid the scenario.
UEFA has issued a statement reacting to reports claiming they
had rejected an appeal by Liverpool to avoid playing on the
anniversary date.
Platini said: "We are aware of the huge significance of the
April 15 date for both Liverpool FC and their fans, and that is why
we will do our utmost to make sure that the club does not have to
play its Champions League second leg quarter-final match on that
day.
"I have been in regular correspondence with Liverpool FC on this
matter for some time now and fully sympathise with the club's
feelings as to the importance of respecting the date of April 15
for those who lost their lives at Hillsborough.
"This being the 20th anniversary of that tragic disaster in 1989
makes it even more relevant and we will take this into
account."
Ninety six people died when Liverpool supporters were crushed at
the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough on April 15, 1989, as they
attended their team's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham
Forest.
A cousin of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was among the dead,
and the England midfielder has urged UEFA to be sympathetic to the
club.
Gerrard said at the weekend: "We're still waiting to see whether
UEFA will make us play on the day. That would be far from ideal
given all the emotion that always surrounds the club on that
day."
The Champions League quarter-final draw takes place on
Friday.